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State of Florida seeks top student chef

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Fresh From Florida Student Chef Cook-Off

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Fresh From Florida Student Chef Cook-Off is an opportunity for high school students to create and prepare an original recipe using fresh, Florida products for the chance to be served on cafeteria lines. This competition encourages students to work with their school food service community to learn recipe development skills, the importance of supporting local agriculture and the National School Lunch Program nutrition standards.

The Fresh From Florida Student Chef Cook-Off will also serve as an way for the department to work with schools to offer more fresh, local products to their students at each meal. “Our goal is to encourage Florida's children to learn how to incorporate healthy foods into their meals and to enjoy the process of preparing the meal,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Studies show that kids who have a hand in preparing their meals are more likely to eat healthy foods and to choose fruits and vegetables over snacks and junk food.” Selected students will prepare their recipe for a panel of judges at a regional cook-off.

The deadline to enter the Fresh From Florida Student Chef Cook-Off is Thursday, February 2, 2017.

For rules and to submit an entry, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/StudentCookOff.

Entry requirements include:

Applicants must be a Florida student in ninth through 12th grade.

The recipe must be original and submitted with a photo.

The recipe must contain one fresh fruit or fresh vegetable grown in Florida.

The recipe must have clear directions and be prepared in 75 minutes or less.

The recipe must promote good nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Students first submit their recipes and pictures to be judged on nutrition, presentation/ appeal and originality. Finalists will be chosen to compete in five regional cook-offs, which will be held in March and April 2017 in the following counties: Dade, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough and Indian River.

The first place winners of each region will continue to the statewide cook-off at the Florida School Nutrition Association annual conference in Orlando on Sat., Apr. 22, 2017. The “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off champion will be invited to serve with a professional chef at one of the department's future events.

 

Fresh from Florida

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